Cuomo Speech Disrupted By NY Budget Protesters

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 02: New York Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo speaks to supporters at the Sheraton New York on election night, November 2, 2010 in New York City. Cuomo resoundingly defeated his Tea Party-backed opponent, Republican candidate Carl Paladino. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Getty Images)

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (credit: Michael Nagle/Getty Images)

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — A New York City councilman and other protesters chanting “Tax the rich” disrupted a speech by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Sunday night.

Cuomo was speaking at the Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators annual dinner when Democratic Councilman Charles Barron walked to the front of the Albany Convention center, shouting “Shame on you” and “Stop the cuts” at the governor.

“How are you tonight, Charles?” Cuomo asked before resuming the speech Sunday evening. “I can’t see who it is, but I know who it is.”

“I think he was uncomfortable,” Barron told 1010 WINS of Cuomo’s cheeky response to the outburst. “It was unexpected and he had an awkward response cause he’s not accustomed to being confronted by assertive black people.”

A small group in the audience of about 500 took up the chant with Barron decrying Cuomo’s proposed cuts in state education and health care spending and his opposition to tax increases.

“I was outraged that he would try to come to the Black-Latino caucus weekend with the kind of budget he’s proposing that will devastate families,” Barron said.

Cuomo said he believes tax increases would end up hurting New York’s economy by driving more people out of the state, ultimately resulting in less tax revenue.

Barron said he objects to Cuomo’s decision to allow the so-called “millionaire’s tax” to expire at the end of the year.

“He should allow for the millionaire’s tax to extend and even consider a stock transfer tax and other revenue raising ideas from those who have it,” Barron said. “Don’t balance the budget off the have-not, balance the budget off the have.”

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

One Comment

How about we start taxing the rich? How about we either get rid of welfare or make welfare receivers have to work for it. Clean the streets, clean graffitti, whatever. I bet if they have to earn it, a lot of moochers will stop. How about making the education money come from sales tax? This way, everyone contributes, not just homeowners. People with more money spend more, therefore, contributing more. Cuomo is an @ss. The system needs to be changed, NOT CUT!

New York, wake up, we are in deep caca. If Cuomo does not make cuts now we will have no future. The deficit is monstrously high and something has to be done. There is too much waste. Obviously, people that have it that good will fight hand tooth and nail to keep a good thing going, but I trust that Cuomo will do the right thing even if I myself wind up getting hurt in the process.

I got a better idea Cuomo……how about doing away with welfare payments in NYS. Welfare has its place in society however to many able workers have made welfare entitlement a lifetime lifestyle. Unless you have a physical handicap Nobody should be receiving Welfare and food stamps. Lets see how Sarpton and Barron like this movement. The taxpayers of NYS have been ripped off for too long because politicians like Cuomo lack the backbone to tell these leaches the party is over and the taxpayers of NYS will no longer support their laziness.

Charles Barron makes $112,500 annually for his part-time job at the City Council. I’m working full time and make much less. And I’m working, not screaming. Charles Barron does not attend even sessions at the City Council which means he has no motivation to be paid. But he would be paid this $112,500 annually plus fat pension and other benefits. In order to save money, why Charles Barron has never offered cutting spending on NYC Council, including his salary, appropriation funds, etc.? When you pretend to represent people and suggest to save money, why not to start sacrificing with your own wallet?